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Sexuality in Long-Term Relationships

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Handbook of the Sociology of Sexualities

Part of the book series: Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research ((HSSR))

Abstract

This chapter provides a broad overview of current research on sex in long-term relationships. First, I review descriptive research on sexual frequency, sexual satisfaction, sexual attitudes, sexual desire, and sexual dysfunction. I then review research that applies theoretical perspectives on emotion work and the performance of gender, age, and desire to the study of sex in long-term relationships. After reviewing the current literature, I examine methodological challenges and strategies for studying sex in long-term relationships. Finally, I discuss directions for future research on sex in long-term relationships, which include the need for more theoretically-informed studies, studies on gay and lesbian relationships, and studies that examine racial/ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Social Work Research, University of Texas, 1717 W. 6th St. Suite 310, 78703, Austin, TX, USA

    Amy C. Lodge

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  1. Amy C. Lodge
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Correspondence to Amy C. Lodge .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    John DeLamater

  2. Department of Sociology, Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York, USA

    Rebecca F. Plante

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Lodge, A. (2015). Sexuality in Long-Term Relationships. In: DeLamater, J., Plante, R. (eds) Handbook of the Sociology of Sexualities. Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17341-2_14

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